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Harbor
WildWatch is a 501c3 non-profit organization
of volunteers and staff whose mission is to inspire
stewardship of the Puget Sound by providing learning
opportunities about the environment to the people of
Gig Harbor, Pierce County and the Key Peninsula. Our
goal is to inform area residents about their local
environment and engage their involvement in preserving
the
wealth of our natural resources.
The organization depends upon support
from community efforts, through donations, volunteers,
grants, and auctions.
Purpose
To inspire stewardship of the Puget Sound by providing
learning opportunities about the environment to the people
of our local communities. Harbor WildWatch is dedicated to providing these
opportunities for learning about local ecosystems in a fun and engaging
way! Learn. Have fun!
Main areas of activity are two-fold:
1. Outdoor interpretive programs at
local area beaches that introduce the public to the
local marine life and encourage respect for the wildlife
around us; public talks; free school workshops; and a
Junior Naturalist program.
2. Development of resource materials for
the public such as “Gig
Harbor’s Wildside: A
Natural History of Gig Harbor’s Marine Environment” reference
guide; permanent signage around the Harbor and neighborhood
parks and state beaches; brochures about the local
wildlife; and other art projects that teach about the
environment.
Background Information
Current Board members:
Bruce Holser, President
Dee Dee Holser, founder, Member-at-large
Paul Bourscheidt, Treasurer
Robyn Dupuis, Secretary
Barb Bourscheidt
Leslie Harbaugh
Joyce Murray
Mike Behrens, PhD
Sharon Haddox
The “BREAKDOWN”:
“Get
Your Feet Wet” (summer
interpretive beach program):
We completed 61 programs, and had 7,874 visitors for
our 2008 season.
“HOP:
Harbor Outreach Program” (a
classroom workshop for elementary children)
56 programs, 1256 students, 2 schools for 2008 (January – March).
Explore the Beach (a HOP mini-workshop
on beach etiquette)
24 programs,
4 schools, 713 students in its pilot year 2006.
seaStars&Beyond: Jr. Naturalist
Program (small group hands-on training for kids 8-12)
1 pilot program; 12 students graduated 2007; 45 projected
for 2008.
Sign Projects (public interpretive signs about our local ecosystems)
10 signs completed and installed by spring, 2008
See Our History
See
Our Sponsors and Supporters
Future plans:
- A downloadable children’s
coloring book on river otters with original art and
story line that teaches young children (and their parents!)
about the
“connected-ness” of our watershed and their importance to wildlife.
- Expansion of seaStars and HOP Programs.
- A “Field Guide for the Little Guy”: a
book for very young children that teaches them how
to develop observation skills in the field.
Email: info@harborwildwatch.org |
